There's Chemistry Between Us: European Transition to Transition

Transition state of a chemical reaction is a particular configuration along the reaction coordinate. In chemistry this state is characterized by a specific property of irreversibility and corresponds to the highest energy level along a certain reaction coordinate. One of the qualities of transition state is its indetermination. In other words, we do not know what really goes on in that state, all we have are approximations. What concerns me here is the transition state of nation states as a specific configuration corresponding to this chemical analogy. If this analogy holds true two equally important consequences will inevitably follow. Firstly, when a nation state enters the period of transition it is not able to turn the clock. The old becomes old and remains only as a specific residue subjected to political conflict and struggle. Secondly, the state of transition will hold a specific quality of “high energy level”. This means that transition itself will for a brief period of time hold the potential which will surpass its previous as its future state. At last, a complete description of a transition state will not be possible, only its approximations. I will back my attempt at this subject by certain insights provided by Etienne Balibar, concerning the phenomena of borders and frontiers. As the starting point of this inquiry and its referential line of thought I pose the example of Slovenian transition, namely the period betwixt Slovenian independence in 91’ and Slovenian entry into the European Union in 2004.